An Introduction to Palmistry |
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Palmistry can trace its roots back to Chinese Yijing (I Ching), India in (Hindu) Astrology (known in Sanskrit as Jyotish) and Roma (gypsy) fortune tellers. The Hindu sage Valmiki is thought to have written a book, whose title translates in English as "The Teachings of Valmiki Maharshi on Male Palmistry", comprising 567 stanzas. From India, the art of palmistry spread to China, Tibet, Egypt, Persia and to other countries in Europe. From China, palmistry progressed to Greece where Anaxagoras practiced it. Judging by the number of hands painted in prehistoric caves it would seem the human hand held a interest for humans since the stone age. Archaeological discoveries have discovered hands made of stone, wood and ivory by ancient civilizations. The emperor of china used his thumbprint when sealing documents in 3000 bc. Information on the laws and practice of hand reading have been found in vedic scripts, the bible and early Semitic writings. Aristotle (384-322 bc) discovered a treatise on palmistry on an alter to the god Hermes. The Greek physicians Hypocrites and Galen (ad 130-200) were both knowledgeable about the use of palmistry as a clinical aid. Julius Caesar (102-44bc) judged his men by palmistry. 
"The Hand Reader" by Jacques-Louis David The practice of palmistry was unfortunately forced underground by the catholic church who branded it devil worshiping. Anyone found to have an interest was quickly murdered. As the church started to lose its influence in society common sense prevailed. Notable people such as Paracelsus (1493-1541) and Fludd (1574-1637) brought respectability to palmistry through their writings. Later Dr Carl Carus, physician to the king of Saxony in the 19th century matched palms to personality. Advances in genetics, psychology and forensics have propelled palmistry into the modern age. In 1901 Scotland yard adopted the technique of fingerprinting in criminal investigation and identification. Medical researchers studying skin patterns (dermatoglyphics), have discovered a correspondence between genetic abnormalities and unusual markings in the hand. Research has confirmed a link between specific fingerprint patterns and heart disease. These days palmistry is well accepted throughout the world. Professional palmists can be found reading palms in every country in the world. Pick up almost any copy of a women's magazine and there is some information on palmistry. There are thousands of books written on the subject and there are palmistry clubs the world across. 
"The Fortune Teller" by Caravaggio (c.1594) Well Know Palm Readers
Count Louis Hamon (Cheiro), Author of "Cheiro's Language of the Hand" from 1894 |
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Contact us | ©Kathleen Gee 2010 | Updated March 2010 |
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